Marina Slip Costs

[somebeach]

I live in the midwest and I'm planning to buy a 34' monohull (ideally a PS34) soon to keep in FL. I've considered St Pete or Punta Gorda based on research. I'm leaning towards Punta Gorda and I reached out to Burnt Store Marina about pricing. The total costs to keep my boat there if I pay annually is going to be $577/month plus electric, so approximately $7,200/year. Very little knowledge about slip fees. Is that a fair price? According to the St. Pete Municipal Marina's website the cost there would be around $410/month.

My plan is to be there for a long weekend each month, then spend about a month in the summer cruising, and then a few full weeks scattered throughout the year.

Any suggestions for locations and marinas?

[pesarsten]

St Pete municipal marina is one of the cheapest around and as such has about a two year waiting list. Twin Dolphin marina in bradenton and Regatta Point in Palmetto are pretty representative of average cost marinas. Check out Apollo Beach, Port Charlott and Fort Myers also .

Where are you going to be living?

[somebeach]

Thanks for that info. I'll be living on the boat whenever I'm there. With it being so infrequent I'm hoping that wouldn't be considered "Live aboard." Burnt Store has as $150/month additional charge for Live Aboards but I'm assuming that's full time.

[Orion Jim]

Never assume anything, call to clarify, it saves a lot of last minute anguish.
All of my friends who live in Florida store their boats on the hard over the summer as it is too hot and humid for comfortable use and there is the real threat of tropical storms.

[pesarsten]

Will you be flying in to go boating? Will you have a car here? Taxi costs could get to be an issue.

[denverd0n]

There are so many marinas around Florida that the competition prevents anyone from charging exorbitant rates. Generally, if it costs more then it is because the amenities are better. Also, of course, some areas are more expensive than others (SE Florida being the most expensive).


As for liveaboard charges, most marinas that I'm aware of will allow you to spend 8 or 10 nights per month before they consider you a "liveaboard." So, if you come down here and spend three weeks living on the boat, technically they will consider you a liveaboard for that month. Of course, if you are a good tenant, always pay on time, keep your boat in good condition, and only come down a couple of times per year, they may cut you slack on that. It just depends on the marina, the manager, and your relationship with them.

[Cool Hand Luke]

$1056/month + electric in New Jersey for my 39-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey.

I know it's not Florida, but thought I'd chime in for comparison

[Shrew]

I pay $4,300 for 6 months in Rhode Island. This includes water, electric and Wifi.

[somebeach]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Never assume anything, call to clarify, it saves a lot of last minute anguish.
All of my friends who live in Florida store their boats on the hard over the summer as it is too hot and humid for comfortable use and there is the real threat of tropical storms.

Is it that unbearable there in the summer? I live in the mid-west where it gets hot and humid.

Originally Posted by pesarsten

Will you be flying in to go boating? Will you have a car here? Taxi costs could get to be an issue.

This is a good point. Yes, I will be flying in and taking an uber. I have lots of credit card points I can use but at some point those will run out I'm sure.

Originally Posted by denverd0n

There are so many marinas around Florida that the competition prevents anyone from charging exorbitant rates. Generally, if it costs more then it is because the amenities are better. Also, of course, some areas are more expensive than others (SE Florida being the most expensive).


As for liveaboard charges, most marinas that I'm aware of will allow you to spend 8 or 10 nights per month before they consider you a "liveaboard." So, if you come down here and spend three weeks living on the boat, technically they will consider you a liveaboard for that month. Of course, if you are a good tenant, always pay on time, keep your boat in good condition, and only come down a couple of times per year, they may cut you slack on that. It just depends on the marina, the manager, and your relationship with them.

Good points. Thank you!

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

$1056/month + electric in New Jersey for my 39-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey.

I know it's not Florida, but thought I'd chime in for comparison

Thanks. That does help put it in perspective.

Originally Posted by Shrew

I pay $4,300 for 6 months in Rhode Island. This includes water, electric and Wifi.

Thanks. Sounds like the price I was quoted isn't so bad.

[tkeithlu]

Our marina with the waiting list is about $350 a month, and our largest (most services) runs about $425.

On the hard during the summer? I've never heard of it here in North Florida. It gets hot, sure, but there's a breeze all the time. It's the two weeks when winter occurs and the nights dip below 45 F that the boating drops off.

[MicHughV]

North Florida.....it's getting pricey these days....average $17/ft for yearly contract....so $568 for your boat....plus taxes, environmental fee....electric hookup, etc ..probably close to $700 by the time the dust settles...you will also need liability insurance..
South Florida and the Keys is a lot more...about $23/ft....about $1,000/month all in for your boat...
If you are a liveaboard, prices will be more. Figure another $200 or so....

[MicHughV]

I don't get the marina pricing these days....not so along slip fees were substantially less, but every slip had a boat in it...our area marina is 2/3 empty now..